The research, carried out to raise awareness of the huge range of illness and conditions that can actually be detected and monitored through an eye test, found that the majority of respondents still mostly associate an eye examination with detecting diseases of the eye rather than screening the health of the wider body.
The results show that:
- Only a third (34%) of respondents knew that an eye test can pick up high cholesterol and
- Just a few more (36%) knew that it can detect the risk of a stroke.
- Over half (56%) knew an eye test could detect high blood pressure.
- 64% and 74% respectively, correctly thought an eye test could identify symptoms associated with brain tumours and diabetes.
- 95% and 92% respectively selected cataracts and glaucoma as conditions that can be detected through an eye test.
Laura Butler, key accounts manager for Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, said: ‘Preventative healthcare is becoming more important and we’re pleased to see that most employers understand the fuller benefits of eye examinations. Most know that they can detect and monitor wider health conditions, not just of the eye, even if the extent of their knowledge is a little sketchy. However, we would like to see eyecare policies more clearly communicated to staff, in our experience, the better employers communicate their eyecare policies, the more the employee also appreciates their full value.’
